Provincial Newsletter - Congregation of the Resurrection, Priests ...

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Superiors’ ConferenceA. Presentations by Mike BrehlFrom October 14-16, 2008, the province’slocal leaders gathered atResurrection College fortheir annual conference.Father Mike Brehl, theCanadian RedemptoristProvincial offered threepresentations. In eachpresentation he drewfromthe members’ presentday realities: howFr. Mike Brehl, C.Ss.Rthe culture in North America has changed in the40 years since Vatican II, the changes in religiouslife in the past 40 years, and styles of religiousleadership since the Second Vatican Council.In the first presentation dealing with theculture we were reminded of the advances in technology;the deconstruction of authority and institutions;how the standard of living has improveddramatically; that our culture has been changedby immigration, a change in moral standards,secularism, consumerism. These changes haveengendered in many of us: fatigue, ego-centrism,a sense of entitlement, greed, insecurity, fear, alack of trust, etc.In the second presentation Father Brehlbegan by referring to a document of Pope PaulVI. In the document the pope challenged religiousto be faithful to the Lord, to be in touchwith the signs of the times, to take bold initiatives,to be constant in generosity, to be humblein face of adversity and to be part of the Church.Father Brehl expanded on each of these pointsand related them to the paschal mystery and ourdocument, The Vision of Hope. The PaschalMystery involves death to self for the sake of allpeople. At this point we were asked to describeour life as religious over the past forty years. Afew words had a positive connotation, but mostwere negative. Father Brehl picked up on oneword that encapsulated many of the others, notonly for us, but for most religious communities:diminishment. This sense of diminishment pro-duces fear and a feeling of powerlessness. Thusit is important that we talk about our fears and atthe same time realize what we can do and whatwe cannot do. The Vision of Hope does not giveus a plan but rather criteria, namely: focus on astyle of community living which is engaging,assisting and praying, collaborate with the laityand remember that we are an international community.These criteria are to influence our plansfor the future. Father Brehl reminded us that ourpersonal, communal and societal hope is rootedin the paschal mysteryIn the third presentation Father Brehlspoke about the role of leaders. He shared sixleadership principles worked out by his owncommunity. They are: authority is for mission;leadership as a co-responsible task; decentralizationand subsidiarity; solidarity; flexibility; andcollegiality. A leader, at any level, is a “keeper”of the charism of the group, leads with mercyand compassion, is the convenor of the group,safeguards the vulnerable, and administers withprudence. He suggested from what he heard fromthe group that some of the tasks our communityfaces are: expressing our fears and having themacknowledged; choosing apostolates in a time ofdiminishment and planning our future mission;what community means to us. When working atthese tasks we ought to be guided by the threecriteria of the Vision of Hope as given above.This year’s superiors’ conference wasprepared in light of our upcoming 2010 provincialchapter and the 2011 general chapter. Thefocus for next year’s conference will continue inthe same manner as we prepare for these two importantCongregational gatherings.B. Reports by Various GroupsFour groups were asked to report at theconference.Faith and Justice CommitteeToby Collins and Murray McDermott reportedon behalf of the committee. Toby reportedhow the 2007 provincial chapter mandated thecommittee and suggested climate change as themajor concern. From a survey two other topics
surfaced, human trafficking and elderly care.Toby referred to the movie by Al Gore whichstressed how modern society is consuming resourcesfaster than nature can replenish them.Andre Beauchamp speaks of four bombs whichthreaten us and the planet: the D-bomb referringto the demographic of an explosive world population;the P-bomb which refers to the environmentaleffect of pollution; the C-bomb which isthe rampant consumerism of our societies; andthe I-bomb referring to the inequality/iniquity/injustice present in the world.Murray spoke briefly about human trafficking.There was also a discussion that focusedon the purchase of cars as a means to reduce pollution.Opinions both in favour of hybrid carsand opinions which questioned their suitabilityand practicality were expressed.Vocational MattersIn the absence of Jim Donohue, the currentVocational Director, Bob Liddy gave a reportfor this group. He continues to be a memberof the Formation Committee and the contact personfor men interested in religious life. He celebratesMass three times a week for students andothers at SJU and is involved in student retreatsat McMaster University and St. Jerome’s.As pre-novitiate director he explainedthe program of Frank Brick: part time studies atthe Toronto School of Theology through St. AugustineSeminary while living at the Manor inWaterloo as well as involvement in work at theManor and activities in the area. He stated thathe was in contact with a number of young menand encouraged members to actively engage menin considering a religious vocation. Members canforward names of interested candidates to Bobwho will maintain contact with them. The importanceof a current and interesting vocational website for the community was stressed.Some enquirers are seeking religious lifefor unsuitable reasons. Others lack support ofparents. We need to help change the attitude ofparents toward their children entering religiouslife.Financial ReportIn her report, Susan Millar the provincialtreasurer, highlighted the sources of our provincialincome and the major operational expenses.We have been able to maintain a balanced budgetfor the last number of years, but with risingretirement costs there is danger of a yearly deficit.She encouraged members living in Ontario tocomplete income tax forms and to request rebateswhich are applicable; also, to obtain health insurancewhen travelling if the regular policies donot cover expenses outside the country/province.Copies of her report were given to each superiorwho can share it with house members.2010 Provincial ChapterThe fourth report was given by Dan Lobsingeron planning for the 2010 Provincial Chapter.He explained the makeup of the committee,its first meeting with the facilitator, Sister BrendaPeddigrew, RSM, and the general direction takenby the committee. He encouraged superiors to respondto the questions sent out by the committeeconcerning the style of chapter which memberswish to have in 2010.C. Issues submitted by the LocalHousesThe final session of the conference was ageneral discussion and information sharing on thevarious issues suggested by local houses. Againthere was an interesting exchange concerningthe purchase of hybrid cars. On other matters
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